Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, on Thursday, declared the senator representing Nasarawa West, Ahmed Wadada, as his preferred candidate for the governorship election in 2027.
The governor described the senator as the embodiment of the ‘Muje Maha’ spirit that has guided his administration’s approach to governance and political inclusivity.
Sule made this known on Thursday during a meeting with political appointees and heads of government agencies at the Government House, Lafia.
The governor explained in detail the process that led him to settle on Wadada as the All Progressives Congress’s most suitable governorship candidate for 2027.
However, a retired Inspector General of Police, Abubakar Adamu, said the endorsement did not represent an election as he vowed to contest the governorship against the governor’s candidate.
Adamu and others are vying for the plum job on the platform of the APC, with the governor insisting that, to allow justice and equity, the governorship slot should be zoned to Nasarawa West where Senator Wadada comes from.
Governor Sule while speaking at the meeting, said the process of identifying a successor had been ongoing for over a year, involving wide consultations that went beyond the boundaries of the state.
He said the consultations included discussions with foreign and prospective investors, youth groups, women organisations, traditional rulers, party officials and various stakeholders from across the state’s three senatorial zones, as well as selected members of his cabinet.
“We had to look for people who have the capacity to be able to win this election.
“After exhaustive consultations, the field was eventually narrowed to three aspirants, each of whom was considered capable of winning.
“Further consultations were conducted before a final decision was reached in favour of Senator Wadada,” he said.
Sule appreciated all the aspirants from the Nasarawa West senatorial district, who had earlier agreed to support whoever emerged as the preferred candidate.
The governor, however, reminded them that the ‘Muje Maha’ principle they had all professed demanded that personal preferences now be set aside in favour of collective support for Wadada and all other APC candidates across every elective position.
“Now, all of us, if we are sincere about the so-called ‘Muje Maha’, now it is the period that ‘Muje Maha’ is Wadada,” the governor said.
He added that the same principle of collective support must extend to other APC’s candidates for different positions during the polls.
But reacting to the development, Adamu reaffirmed his resolve to continue his aspiration.
The Chairman, Contact and Mobilisation of the ex-IGP team, Isa Nathaniel, in a press statement made available to newsmen in Lafia, noted that the future of Nasarawa State would be determined by due process, not by declaration.
He maintained that Nasarawa was operating a constitutional democracy, adding that the destiny of the state could not be decided by any individual or group outside the established processes of the APC and the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Endorsement does not equal election. While we respect the person and office of His Excellency, the governor, his personal preference remains his prerogative.
“It does not, and cannot, substitute for the decision of registered APC members expressed through free and credible primaries as provided in the APC Constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and guidelines to be issued by the National Working Committee.
“Besides, the Electoral Act provides for both direct and consensus procedures, and consensus provides that all aspirants must agree through signed documents.
“If the governor has endorsed Senator Wadada, where and when was the consensus meeting held that they arrived at Wadada and who participated in the process.
“The APC has no provision for ‘sole anointed successor.’ Our party is built on internal democracy. Every qualified member has the right to contest, and every financial member has the right to vote.
“Any attempt to foreclose the contest before it begins is undemocratic and unacceptable,” he said.
He added that, the contest for 2027 would be decided by the people of the state, noting that the ultimate power to choose the next governor of Nasarawa State resided with the delegates of the APC and, subsequently, with the electorate.
“To our esteemed members and supporters, we urge calm, discipline, and focus. Do not be distracted by premature proclamations.
“The battle has just begun. Continue your mobilisation across all wards and polling units in full compliance with the law.
“We will subject ourselves to the party’s process and to the verdict of the people of Nasarawa State.
“If there is confidence in any aspirant, let that aspirant be presented to the same process that all others will face. The field of play is the primary election.
“IGP Mohamed Abubakar Adamu (retd) remains firmly in the race to serve. He brings proven competence, national experience, and deep commitment to Nasarawa State. He will present his agenda to the party and to the people at the appropriate time,” the statement said.
